What’s special about the week of June 11–17 in Iowa?

Answer: It’s Iowa Museum Week!

On June 7, Gov. Terry Branstad proclaimed June 11-17 as Iowa Museum Week. This week of awareness will recognize the important roles of educational programming, scholarly research, collection care, attraction of tourists, economic and employment development, and community outreach in the museums, historical societies, and collections in all 99 counties of Iowa.

The Iowa Museum Association in 2011 surveyed about half of Iowa’s museums. The findings: 4.2 million people visited or used museum services provided by more than 28,400 volunteers and more than 1,400 employees. Branstad noted in his proclamation that museums play a crucial role in preserving the historical fabric and memory of our state through education, commerce, and the significant role of enhancing community quality of life.

The University of Iowa Pentacrest Museums are proud to participate by featuring special activities in addition to everyday free admission and regular hours.

The University of Iowa Museum of Natural History will feature family scavenger hunts throughout the week, and from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, June 14, children can paint paw prints in Iowa Hall.

Old Capitol Museum will have scavenger hunts for the museum and for the ART | IOWA: INSPIRED BY LANDSCAPE exhibit, as well as children’s art activities during the week.

For more information on the University of Iowa Pentacrest Museums, visit www.uiowa.edu/mnh and www.uiowa.edu/oldcap.